Mitchell Starc to skip BBL 2022/23 to focus on international cricket

The Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc has decided to skip the 2022/23 edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) to stay fit for the busy schedule of international cricket in the near future.

The left-arm pacer has missed out on most of the action in the ongoing Sri Lanka Tour due to a finger injury. However, he returned in the first red-ball fixture of the series and returned with a single wicket. 

Most of the Australian senior players will be available for the BBL this year due to the cancellation of the ODI series against South Africa. However, Starc has maintained the same stand on skipping the franchise tournaments. 

The 32-year-old last featured for Sydney Sixers in the 2014/15 edition of BBL. Although Starc signed a contract in the 2020/21 edition, he refused to feature in the Finals. 

"I have always enjoyed the BBL when I have played it ... but my approach with all franchise cricket hasn't changed over the last seven years," Starc told AAP in Galle.

The Sydney-born pacer has reckoned that he wants to be fit and perform well for the Australian team in the next 18 months. 

"My approach to the IPL, BBL, I have looked at the Australian schedule and wanting to be as fit and well-performed for that as I can,"

"And franchise cricket has taken a back seat."

After the ongoing Sri Lanka tour, Australia are slated to play white-ball series against Zimbabwe, New Zealand, India, England and West Indies and the T20 World Cup.

The 2023 ODI World Cup is also around the corner, and Starc has opted to not take enough risk of playing too much cricket, which can leave him injured. 

"The schedule in the next 18 months is ridiculous," Starc said.

"I will always keep Australian cricket front of mind, and then franchise cricket (second),"

"I also like spending time at home and seeing my wife (Alyssa Healy, who is also often away)," he added. 

Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Swepson, Nathan Lyon, and Alex Carey are some players who have contracts with their respective BBL teams. 

Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head are also likely to be a part of this edition.